ABSTRACT
Abstract Spinal muscular atrophy linked to chromosome 5 (SMA-5q) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in the SMN1. SMA-5q is characterized by progressive degeneration of the spinal cord and bulbar motor neurons, causing severe motor and respiratory impairment with reduced survival, especially in its more severe clinical forms. In recent years, highly effective disease-modifying therapies have emerged, either acting by regulating the splicing of exon 7 of the SMN2 gene or adding a copy of the SMN1 gene through gene therapy, providing a drastic change in the natural history of the disease. In this way, developing therapeutic guides and expert consensus becomes essential to direct the use of these therapies in clinical practice. This consensus, prepared by Brazilian experts, aimed to review the main available disease-modifying therapies, critically analyze the results of clinical studies, and provide recommendations for their use in clinical practice for patients with SMA-5q. This consensus also addresses aspects related to diagnosis, genetic counseling, and follow-up of patients under drug treatment. Thus, this consensus provides valuable information regarding the current management of SMA-5q, helping therapeutic decisions in clinical practice and promoting additional gains in outcomes.
Resumo Atrofia muscular espinhal ligada ao cromossomo 5 (AME-5q) é uma doença genética de herança autossômica recessiva causada por mutações no gene SMN1. A AME-5q cursa com degeneração progressiva dos motoneurônios medulares e bulbares, acarretando grave comprometimento motor e respiratório com redução da sobrevida, especialmente nas suas formas clínicas mais graves. Nos últimos anos, terapias modificadoras da doença altamente eficazes, ou que atuam regulando o splicing do exon 7 do gene SMN2 ou adicionando uma cópia do gene SMN1 via terapia gênica, têm surgido, proporcionando uma mudança drástica na história natural da doença. Dessa forma, o desenvolvimento de guias terapêuticos e de consensos de especialistas torna-se importante no sentido de direcionar o uso dessas terapias na prática clínica. Este consenso, preparado por especialistas brasileiros, teve como objetivos revisar as principais terapias modificadoras de doença disponíveis, analisar criticamente os resultados dos estudos clínicos dessas terapias e prover recomendações para seu uso na prática clínica para pacientes com AME-5q. Aspectos relativos ao diagnóstico, aconselhamento genético e seguimento dos pacientes em uso das terapias também são abordados nesse consenso. Assim, esse consenso promove valiosas informações a respeito do manejo atual da AME-5q auxiliando decisões terapêuticas na prática clínica e promovendo ganhos adicionais nos desfechos finais.
ABSTRACT
Inherited ocular diseases comprise a heterogeneous group of rare and complex diseases, including inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and inherited optic neuropathies. Recent success in adeno-associated virus-based gene therapy, voretigene neparvovec (Luxturna®) for RPE65-related IRDs, has heralded rapid evolution in gene therapy platform technologies and strategies, from gene augmentation to RNA editing, as well as gene agnostic approaches such as optogenetics. This review discusses the fundamentals underlying the mode of inheritance, natural history studies and clinical trial outcomes, as well as current and emerging therapies covering gene therapy strategies, cell-based therapies and bionic vision.
Subject(s)
Humans , Eye Diseases/therapyABSTRACT
We summarize the most important advances in RNA delivery and nanomedicine. We describe lipid nanoparticle-based RNA therapeutics and the impacts on the development of novel drugs. The fundamental properties of the key RNA members are described. We introduced recent advances in the nanoparticles to deliver RNA to defined targets, with a focus on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). We review recent advances in biomedical therapy based on RNA drug delivery and state-of-the-art RNA application platforms, including the treatment of different types of cancer. This review presents an overview of current LNPs based RNA therapies in cancer treatment and provides deep insight into the development of future nanomedicines sophisticatedly combining the unparalleled functions of RNA therapeutics and nanotechnology.
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RNA therapeutics inhibit the expression of specific proteins/RNAs by targeting complementary sequences of corresponding genes, or synthesize proteins encoded by the desired genes to treat genetic diseases. RNA-based therapeutics are categorized as oligonucleotide drugs (antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, RNA aptamers), and mRNA drugs. The antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA for treatment of genetic diseases have been approved by the FDA in the United State, while RNA aptamers and mRNA drugs are still in clinical trials. Chemical modifications are applied to RNA drugs, such as pseudouridine modification of mRNA, to reduce immunogenicity and improve the efficacy. The secure and effective delivery systems like lipid-based nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and virus-like particles are under development to address stability, specificity, and safety issues of RNA drugs. This article provides an overview of the specific molecular mechanisms of 11 RNA drugs currently used for treating genetic diseases, and discusses the research progress of chemical modifications and delivery systems of RNA drugs.
ABSTRACT
RNA therapeutics inhibit the expression of specific proteins/RNAs by targeting complementary sequences of corresponding genes or encode proteins for the synthesis desired genes to treat genetic diseases. RNA-based therapeutics are categorized as oligonucleotide drugs (antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, RNA aptamers), and mRNA drugs. The antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA for treatment of genetic diseases have been approved by the FDA in the United States, while RNA aptamers and mRNA drugs are still in clinical trials. Chemical modifications can be applied to RNA drugs, such as pseudouridine modification of mRNA, to reduce immunogenicity and improve the efficacy. The secure and effective delivery systems such as lipid-based nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and virus-like particles are under development to address stability, specificity, and safety issues of RNA drugs. This article provides an overview of the specific molecular mechanisms of eleven RNA drugs currently used for treating genetic diseases, and discusses the research progress of chemical modifications and delivery systems of RNA drugs.
Subject(s)
Aptamers, Nucleotide , RNA, Small Interfering/therapeutic use , RNA, Messenger , Oligonucleotides, Antisense/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Abstract Therapeutics that inhibit enzymes, receptors, ion channels, and cotransporters have long been the mainstay of cardiovascular medicine. Now, oligonucleotide therapeutics offer a modern variation on this paradigm of protein inhibition. Rather than target a protein, however, small interfering ribonucleic acids and antisense oligonucleotides target the messenger RNA (mRNA) from which a protein is translated. Endogenous, cellular mechanisms enable the oligonucleotides to bind a selected sequence on a target mRNA, leading to its degradation. The catalytic nature of the process confers an advantage over the stoichiometric binding of traditional small molecule therapeutics to their respective protein targets. Advances in nucleic acid chemistry and delivery have enabled development of oligonucleotide therapeutics against a wide range of diseases, including hyperlipidemias and hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. While most of these therapeutics were initially designed for rare diseases, recent clinical trials highlight the potential impact of oligonucleotides on more common forms of cardiovascular disease.
ABSTRACT
Balancing the risks and benefits of organophosphate pesticides(OPs)on human and environmental health relies partly on their accurate measurement.A highly sensitive fluorescence anti-quenching multi-residue bio-barcode immunoassay was developed to detect OPs(triazophos,parathion,and chlorpyrifos)in apples,turnips,cabbages,and rice.Gold nanoparticles were functionalized with monoclonal antibodies against the tested OPs.DNA oligonucleotides were complementarily hybridized with an RNA fluorescent label for signal amplification.The detection signals were generated by DNA-RNA hybridization and ribonuclease H dissociation of the fluorophore.The resulting fluorescence signal en-ables multiplexed quantification of triazophos,parathion,and chlorpyrifos residues over the concen-tration range of 0.01-25,0.01-50,and 0.1-50 ng/mL with limits of detection of 0.014,0.011,and 0.126 ng/mL,respectively.The mean recovery ranged between 80.3％and 110.8％with relative standard deviations of 7.3％-17.6％,which correlate well with results obtained by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS).The proposed bio-barcode immunoassay is stable,reproducible and reliable,and is able to detect low residual levels of multi-residue OPs in agricultural products.
ABSTRACT
In recent years, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) has been very active in the field of rare disease research and development, especially in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, where it made a major breakthrough. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare childhood myopathy caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Currently, the four ASO drugs approved internationally for DMD are all targeted at dystrophin, including eteplirsen, golodirsen, viltolarsen and casimersen. They all belong to phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) antisense oligonucleotide drugs, so that their pharmacokinetic characteristics are similar. The drugs quickly spread to other tissues after intravenous administration. Because of the electrical neutrality of the PMO, they have a low binding rate to plasma proteins and are quickly metabolized by the kidney and excreted in the urine as archetypes. In addition, the likelihood of drug-drug interactions of ASO is low. Existing clinical studies have shown that they have certain clinical benefits and good tolerability, bringing new options for DMD treatment. This paper mainly discusses the pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetic characteristics, efficacy, and safety of ASO drugs for the treatment of DMD, hoping to provide scientific reference for the rational and safe clinical use of such drugs.
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. There is currently no effective cure. The emergence of gene therapy brings hope to treatment, which can be achieved by delivering transgenes to replace or correct defective genes, as well as the expression of neurotrophic factors. The vectors of gene therapy can be viral vectors and non-viral vectors. Lentiviral vectors can be used to deliver therapeutic sequences to motor neurons in the central nervous system. Adeno-associated viruses can effectively mediate gene expression and delivery of neurotrophic factors. Gene editing and antisense oligonucleotides therapy are also perspective treatment options. This article summarizes gene therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis from basic experiments and clinical trials.
ABSTRACT
Gene therapy is expected to restore the function of genetic material fundamentally and it has become a new trend in inherited retinal dystrophy treatment.Antisense oligonucleotide (AON) is a kind of small molecule nucleic acid drug, which can specifically bind to messenger RNA through the base pairing principle, thus interfering or modifying gene expression at the transcription and translation level.Possessing the advantages of high specificity and efficiency, wide targeting range, low immunogenicity and limited adverse effect, AON has become a novel remedy for inherited retinal dystrophy.Currently, three different AON drugs have already been used in clinical trials for inherited retinal dystrophy.In this review, the chemical structure modification, properties and mechanism of AON, and the therapeutic strategies of AON in different inherited retinal dystrophy diseases in recent years were summarized.
ABSTRACT
As one of the most serious hereditary neuromuscular disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by the loss or mutation of survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. It leads to a decrease in the level of SMN protein and a consequent loss of alpha neurons and progressive muscle atrophy resulting in the progressive muscle weakness, the significant disability and the shortened lifespan. Up till now, only three drugs have been approved for SMA, including the gene therapy drug onasemnogene abeparvovec. The antisense oligonucleotide drug nusinersen and and the small molecule chemical drug risdiplam were briefly introduced. Some representative samples of the small molecule chemical drugs and antisense oligonucleotide drugs targeting SMN2 in the clinical trial or preclinical research phases were also reviewed.
ABSTRACT
Oligonucleotides have attracted the widespread attention in disease diagnosis and gene therapy. At present, the nucleic acid drugs are at the forefront of biomedical and pharmaceutical research. The bioanalysis of therapeutic oligonucleotides has been slow, however, due to the requirements for pharmacokinetic/toxicokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in pharmaceutical development. Conventionally, the hybridization-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (hybridization-ELISA) is widely used in the bioanalysis of therapeutic oligonucleotides. Recentlly, many technologies such as real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-based technologies have also showed a broad application prospects in the bioanalysis of therapeutic oligonucleotides. However, each technology has its own advantages and limitations. This review summarizes the currently used techniques in the bioanalysis of oligonucleotide therapeutics and reviews the challenges of regulated bioanalysis.
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Objective To investigate the effect of antisense oligonucleotides of miRNA-34a on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its molecular mechanism.Methods The expression of miRNA34a in human non-small cell lung cancer cell line HCC827 and human normal lung cell MRC-5 was detected by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).HCC827 cells were divided into three groups:blank control group,negative control group,anti-sense oligonucleotide group (liposome 2000 transfected anti-sense oligonucleotide miRNA-34a);cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to detect cell proliferation,Jimsa staining was used to detect cell cloning ability,Transwell test was used to detect cell migration and invasion ability;RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN),phosphorylation-protein kinase B (p-Akt),phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)mRNA and protein expression.Results The relative expression of miRNA34a in HCC827 cells was significantly higher than that in human normal lung cells (P ＜ 0.01).The relative expression of miRNA34a in antisense oligonucleotide miRNA-34a group was significantly lower than that of negative control group and blank control group (P ＜ 0.05),and there was no significant difference between negative control group and blank control group (P ＞ 0.05).At 48 h,72 h and 96 h,the proliferation level of HCC827 cells in antisense oligonucleotide miRNA-34a group was significantly lower than that in negative control group and blank control group (P ＜ 0.05).The cell cloning rate of antisense oligonucleotide miRNA-34a group was significantly lower than that of negative control group and blank control group (P ＜ 0.01).The number of migration and invasion of HCC827 cells in antisense oligonucleotide RNA-34a group was significantly lower than that in negative control group and blank control group (P ＜0.01).The relative expression of PTEN mRNA and protein in antisense oligonucleotide miRNA-34a group was significantly higher than that in negative control group and blank control group (P ＜ 0.05);the relative expression of p-Akt,PI3K mRNA and protein in antisense oligonucleotide miRNA-34a group were significantly lower than that in negative control group and blank control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The expression level of miRNA-34a in human nonsmall cell lung cancer cells is significantly higher than that in human normal lung cells.Antisense oligonucleotides of miRNA-34a can inhibit the proliferation,cloning,migration and invasion of human non-small cell lung cancer cells.The mechanism may be related to the negative regulation of PTEN/p-Akt/PI3K signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) is a transcriptional coactivator that binds to a diverse range of transcription factors. PPAR coactivator 1 (PGC-1) coactivators possess an extensive range of biological effects in different tissues, and play a key part in the regulation of the oxidative metabolism, consequently modulating the production of reactive oxygen species, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Owing to these findings, a large body of studies, aiming to establish the role of PGC-1 in the neuromuscular system, has shown that PGC-1 could be a promising target for therapies targeting neuromuscular diseases. Among these, some evidence has shown that various signaling pathways linked to PGC-1 are deregulated in muscular dystrophy, leading to a reduced capacity for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In the light of these results, any intervention aimed at activating PGC-1 could contribute towards ameliorating the progression of muscular dystrophies. PGC-1 is influenced by different patho-physiological/pharmacological stimuli. Natural products have been reported to display modulatory effects on PPAR activation with fewer side effects in comparison to synthetic drugs. Taken together, this review summarizes the current knowledge on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, focusing on the potential effects of natural compounds, acting as regulators of PGC-1.
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Gene therapy is rapidly emerging as a powerful therapeutic strategy for a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). Some early clinical trials have failed to achieve satisfactory therapeutic effects. Efforts to enhance effectiveness are now concentrating on three major fields: identification of new vectors, novel therapeutic targets, and reliable of delivery routes for transgenes. These approaches are being assessed closely in preclinical and clinical trials, which may ultimately provide powerful treatments for patients. Here, we discuss advances and challenges of gene therapy for neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting promising technologies, targets, and future prospects.
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The reduction of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein causes spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease. Nusinersen is an antisense oligonucleotide, approved by the FDA, which specifically binds to the repressor within SMN2 exon 7 to enhance exon 7 inclusion and augment production of functional SMN protein. Nusinersen is the first new oligonucleotide-based drug targeting the central nervous system for the treatment of SMA. This review of nusinersen will discuss its action mechanism, cellular uptake, trafficking mechanisms, and administration approaches to cross the blood-brain barrier. Furthermore, nusinersen clinical trials will be assessed in terms of pharmacokinetics, tolerability and safety, the clinical outcomes of multiple intrathecal doses, and a discussion on the primary and secondary endpoints.
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Following small molecules and monoclonal antibodies, oligonucleotides are expected to overcome the rare and refractory human diseases. It has been attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical industry since the approval of six oligonucleotides in recent years because of their unique mechanism of regulating disease gene transcription at the RNA level. As a new class of drug molecules, oligonucleotides are highly polar, charged, and need to be improved by means of chemical modification and drug delivery systems. And therefore, they have different clinical pharmacology properties compared with chemical molecules and monoclonal antibodies, which pose new challenges for early clinical development. This paper reviews the characteristics of oligonucleotides from the perspective of technological development, mechanism of action, human pharmacokinetics, efficacy and safety.
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Foxo-1 plays an important role in development of muscle atrophy, serving as a potential target for therapeutic treatment of the disease. In this study, the Foxo-1 mRNA was targeted by a Foxo-1 specific RNA oligonucleotide modified by 2'-O-methyl and with a butanol tag at the 3'-end. To understand the in vivo significance of new modified RNA oligos, efficacy, pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of the new modified RNA oligonucleotide targeting Foxo-1 were evaluated in mice. All experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The results showed that different doses of the RNA oligonucleotide can reduce the expression of Foxo-1 in mice by two routes of administration, leading to an increase in skeletal muscle mass of the mice. The results of pharmacokinetic evaluation showed that the plasma disappearance curve for the RNA oligonucleotide could be described by a two-compartmental model. The results of safety evaluation showed that no obvious adverse effects on renal and hepatic functions, nor on hematological parameters by intravenous or oral administration of the RNA oligo with a maximum dose of 30 mg·kg-1. Histopathology also did not reveal any significant changes in the morphology of the organs studied. In conclusion, the new modified RNA oligo is safe and effective in mice, providing experimental evidence supporting the significance for its clinical application.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe and clinically-heterogeneous motor neuron disease caused, in most cases, by a homozygous mutation in the SMN1 gene. Regarding the age of onset and motor involvement, at least four distinct clinical phenotypes have been recognized. This clinical variability is, in part, related to the SMN2 copy number. By now, only supportive therapies have been available. However, promising specific therapies are currently being developed based on different mechanisms to increase the level of SMN protein; in particular, intrathecal antisense oligonucleotides that prevent the skipping of exon 7 during SMN2 transcription, and intravenous SMN1 insertion using viral vector. These therapeutic perspectives open a new era in the natural history of the disease. In this review, we intend to discuss the most recent and promising therapeutic strategies, with special consideration to the pathogenesis of the disease and the mechanisms of action of such therapies.
RESUMO A atrofia muscular espinhal (AME) é uma grave doença dos neurônios motores, de grande variabilidade clínica e causada na maioria dos casos por mutação em homozigose no gene SMN1. Pelo menos quatro fenótipos clínicos distintos são reconhecidos com base na idade de início e no grau de envolvimento motor. Tal variabilidade clínica é em parte relacionada com o número de cópias do gene SMN2. Até recentemente, apenas terapias de suporte estavam disponíveis. Atualmente, terapias especificas estão sendo desenvolvidas com base em diferentes mecanismos para aumentar o nível de proteína SMN; em particular oligonucleotídeos antissenso por via intratecal e inserção de cópia do gene SMN1, via endovenosa, usando vetor viral. Nesta revisão, objetivamos discutir as mais recentes e promissoras estratégias terapêuticas, com consideração especial aos aspectos patogênicos da doença e aos mecanismos de ação de tais terapias.
Subject(s)
Humans , Oligonucleotides/administration & dosage , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/therapy , Genetic Therapy/methods , DNA, Antisense/administration & dosage , Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/administration & dosage , Phenotype , Injections, Spinal , MutationABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effect of anti-myosin monoclonal antibodies-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotides-lipofectamine compound (mAb2G4-ODN-lip) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Forty clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 240-260 g,were divided into 4 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),myocardial I/R group (group I/R),ODN-lip group (group ODN) and mAb2G4-ODN-lip group (group mAb2G4).Myocardial I/R was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min reperfusion.In ODN and mAb2G4 groups,ODN-lip (100 μg ODN) and mAb2G4-ODN-lip (100 μg ODN) compounds were injected via the femoral vein,respectively,immediately after onset of ischemia.The left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was only occluded but not ligated in group S.The animals were sacrificed at 120 min of reperfusion and myocardial specimens of the left ventricle on the ischemic side were obtained for examination of the pathological changes (using haematoxylin and eosin staining) and for determination of the expression of NF-κB (by Western blot) and contents of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).Results Compared with group S,the expression of NF-κB was significantly up-regulated,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were increased in I/R,ODN and mAb2G4 groups (P＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the expression of NF-κB was significantly down-regulated,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased in ODN and mAb2G4 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group ODN,the expression of NF-κB was significantly down-regulated,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased in group mAb2G4 (P＜0.05).The pathological changes of myocardial tissues were significantly attenuated in group I/R,group ODN and group mAb2G4 in turn.Conclusion mAb2G4-ODN-lip can mitigate myocardial I/R injury in rats.